'1984' by George Orwell

This book gripped me from the start. It isn’t just a book; it shows us how people can be controlled by fear and how the state can manipulate the truth. It is so realistic but chilling at the same time -the way the world is split in to three which are always at war with each other. It was realistic in that it showed us that we all have a breaking point.

The book is about a man: Winston, who works for the ministry of truth. There are several ministries: the ministry of love, the ministry of peace, and the ministry of plenty. All ironic in their names because of the slogan:

“War is peace;

freedom is slavery;

ignorance is strength.”

The people of Oceania are ruled by one party Big Brother. He looks out from every poster, and the thought police uncover every act of betrayal. The thought police are there to monitor all thoughts because Big Brother doesn’t only want to control actions and speech but he also want to control the mind as well. Winston says in one of his diary entry’s that “Thoughtcrime does not entail death: Thoughtcrime is death.”

when Winston falls for Julia he realises that there is more to life than Big Brother and working. Together Winston and Julia begin to question Big Brother. Yet Big Brother will not tolerate dissent. For those who do they invented room 101 . . .

The book creates a horrible image of what humans and the state are capable of. This book is not happy, but it is not meant to be as it shows us the extent of what humans will do for power. For those of you who prefer a light read this book may not be for you but give it a go, you may like it.

by Lamorna Brown